Ski binding part

ABSTRACT

A ski binding part having a pair of symmetrically arranged sole holders which are pivotably supported on a base part. The sole holders comprise a pair of two arm levers pivotally supported on the base part. One arm of each of the two arm levers engages the sole of the boot and the other arm engages through a structural part a spring so that the two arm levers are resiliently urged into engagement with the sole of the boot.

I Umted States Patent 119 1111 3,822,071 Mottet July 2, 1974 SKI BINDING PART 3,232,631 2/1966 Witschard 280/1 1.35 T 5] In ento lly M ne e, S i ar nd 3,638,959 2/1972 Reuge 280/1135 T Assigneei Geflsch AG, 211g, Switzerland Primary Examiner-R0bert R. Song 22 Filed: May 25 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard & 21 App]. N0; 256,669 Flynn 30 Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT May 28, 1971 Switzerland 7811/71 A Ski binding P having a P of symmetrically ranged sole holders which are pivotably supported on 52 us. c1 280/1135 T a base P The $016 holders comprise a P of o 51 Int. Cl. A636 9/08 arm levers Pivotally Supported on the base P One [58] Field of Search 280/1135 T armof each of the two armlever-s engages the $019 of the boot and the other arm engages through a struc- [56] References Cited tura] part a spring so that the two arm levers are resil- UNITED STATES ATENTS iently urged into engagement with the sole of the boot.

3,107,102 10/1963 Ramillon 280/1135 T 8 Clailns, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuL 21974 I 3822.071

SHEEY1UF3 F163 FIE-3.2

sxr BINDING PART The invention relates to a ski binding part which has symmetrically arranged, approximately bent-leverlike or two arm lever sole holders, which are pivotable about axes and which each rest with one arm against the boot sole and engage with the other arm a structural part which is under the effect of a spring.

In such a known ski binding part, the lever arms engage a so-called lift reducer. The lift reducer is a part onto which the spring acts and which is movable transversely of the direction of actuation by the spring, whereby inclined surfacesof the lever arms slide on inclined surfaces of the lift reducer. This is not only a very expensive construction but it is also a construction which is easily susceptible to trouble. Furthermore, very high frictional forces occur between movable lift reducer, support which respect to the spring and the inclined surfaces of the bent lever arms.

The purpose of the invention is now to avoid these disadvantages and to produce a ski binding part which is simple and therefore inexpensive in structure and which operates perfectly. This goal is achieved in such a manner that the structural part is constructed as a rotary member with at least one annular groove which is engaged by an extension of each bent or two arm lever.

If the bent lever is pivoted, it must move with its extension, which engages the groove, the rotary member against the force of the spring. The extension rolls essentially along in the groove through which only very small frictional forces are created. Furthermore, the structural part which is under the effect of the spring is constructed as a rotary member which can of course be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

The subject matter of the invention is illustrated by several embodiments in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in a central cross-sectional view an inventively constructedfront jaw.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, whereby one half of the illustration is a crosssectional view.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line lIIIIl OF FIG. 2. I

FIG. 4 is a central cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a central sectional view of a construction which can be used both as a heel binding part and also as a front holding part.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, whereby also only one half is illustrated in a cross-sectional view.

As one can recognize from FIGS. 1 to 3, the ski bind ing part consists substantially of a base member I mounted on a ski 1A in which the traction part 2, which is constructed as a reciprocable member, is supported movably in a bore 8 against the force of the spring 5. The spring 5 is supported on a nut 7 at one end which is adjustably screwed on the end of the traction part 2 and to the base surface 9 at the opposite end which is formed by an enlarged end or shoulder 10 in the bore 8. Furthermore sole holders 4, 6, which are constructed as bent levers, are supported pivotably about the axes 18 in the base member 1. In condition of use, one end of the lever arms 6 rest against the ski boot sole and also grippingly overlap same. The other end of the lever arms form through extensions 4 .a tooth-like segment which is arranged concentrically to the pivot axes and which engages annular grooves 3 provided on the traction part 2 remote from the nut 7.

If now a lateral force acts onto a clampedin ski boot, one of the sole holder arms 6 is swung outwardly and pulls hereby the traction part2 backwardly through the extensions 4. It is through this movement that the opposite sole holder arm 6 is also automatically swung outwardly in the other direction so that the levers 6 separate or spread apart to open the sole holder so that the danger of a jamming of the ski boot between the sole holder parts is avoided. As one can particularly recognize from FIG. 3, the axes 18 of the sole holders 4, 6 are inclined to one another in an upward direction and toward the center of the ski so that the sole holders 6, during an outward swinging movement move essentially upwardly at an inclined angle. This also avoids a jamming of the ski boot in a pivoted position during a safety release and also during a pivoting motion during which a release does not yet take place.

In the construction according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the base member is supported pivotably about a fixed axis 11 in a base plate 12. In order that the base member 1 is held in its central position, a locking device is provided between the base member 1 and the base plate 12. This locking device comprises a projection 13 which is secured to the traction part 2 by a screw or the like and extends downwardly therefrom and engages a recess 14 in the base plate 12. The base member 1 is essentially locked in the illustrated position and cannot be pivoted about the axis 11. However, if a sufficient force is applied to one of the sole holder arms 6 to causea rearward movement through the extensions 4, of the traction part 2 against the force of the spring 5, the projection 13 exits from the recess 14. If the traction part 2.is moved by the sole holder 6 so far that the projection 13 becomes completely disengaged with the recess 14, then the base member I. can pivot about the axis 11 to release the ski boot with the sole holders 6. After such a pivoting movement, the projection 13 will abut the outer surface of the base plate 12 under a resilient urging by the spring 5. A return of the binding part can now be manually accomplished so that the projection 13 again becomes engaged in the recess 14. On the other hand, one could also provide a conventional re turn spring which automatically assures that the illustrated central position is taken. The force of this return spring would have to be so great that a return of the binding part is assured.

The construction according to FIGS. 6 and 7 has, compared with the first-mentioned construction, still a further sole holder l5, 16. The sole: holder l5, 16 is pivotably supported on the base member I mounted on a ski 1A about an axis 17 which is arranged approximately transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ski. The sole holder, in the condition of use, grips with the arm 15 over the ski boot sole. The other end of the lever arm is formed by extensions 16 which one again can identify as a tooth segment which is concentrically arranged relative to the pivot axis 17. These extensions 16 also engage the annular grooves 3 of the end of the traction part 2. Differing from the first exemplary embodiment, the sole holder arms 6 about only laterally the ski boot sole and do not grip over same since the gripping over function is accomplished by the sole The invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. A number of construction possibilities exist which lie within the scope of the invention. For example, the construction according to FIGS. 6 and 7 could also be supported pivotably about an axis and could also be provided with a locking device like the construction according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A ski binding part, comprising:

a base member;

a traction member mounted for reciprocal movement on said base member and having means defining at least one groove therein;

a pair of two arm levers pivotally mounted on said base member, one arm of each of said levers being movable about a pivot axis therefor between a boot engaging and a boot releasing position, the other arm of each of said levers including toothed means continuously engaging said groove means for effecting a simultaneous movement of both of said levers about said pivot axes therefor to said boot 30 releasing position whenever a sufficient force is applied to one of said levers and a corresponding reciprocal movement of said traction member; and

resilient means for biasing said levers into said boot engaging position.

2. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said traction member has a plurality of grooves thereon; and

wherein said toothed means comprises a toothed segment which is concentrical about said pivot axes, said toothed segment rolling during a pivotal movement of said levers along in said grooves.

3. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said one arm on each of said levers abut laterally on the boot sole; and

wherein a further sole holder is provided, said further sole holder being pivotable about an axis arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of said ski and being adapted to grip over the top of the boot sole, said further sole holder having toothed means thereon engaging said groove means and effecting a simultaneous movement of said levers and said traction member in response to a sufficient force being applied to said further sole holder. 4. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal traction member extends through a bore in said base member extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ski and has a thread at an end remote from said groove means, a nut threadedly engaged with said thread; and

wherein said resilient means comprises a spring sleevably mounted over said reciprocal traction member and supported at one end on said base member and at the other end on said nut.

5. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axes for said levers are inclined toward one another upwardly away from said ski and toward a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ski and passing through the center thereof.

6. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises a base plate and pivot means for pivotally supporting said base member, each of said levers being supported for movement with said base member about the pivot axis of said pivot means and releasable locking means for releasably locking said base member to said base plate to hold said base member in a central position wherein said levers are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of said ski.

7. A ski binding part according to claim 6, wherein said locking means is defined by a downwardly extending projection engaging a recess in said base plate, said projection being secured to said traction member and movable therewith whereby a reciprocal movement of said traction member will effect a movement of said projection from said recess.

8. A ski binding part according to claim 8, wherein said groove means comprises a plurality of annular grooves around the periphery of said traction member. 1: =i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 822 071 Dated July 2 1974 Inventor(s) Willy Mottet It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 42; change "Claim 8" to -Claim l-.

Signed and sealed this 10th dayof December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents FORM pofwso (L591 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u.s. covzmmzm' vkmrmc arm: nu 0-in-3, 

1. A ski binding part, comprising: a base member; a traction member mounted for reciprocal movement on said base member and having means defining at least one groove therein; a pair of two arm levers pivotally mounted on said base member, one arm of each of said levers being movable about a pivot axis therefor between a boot engaging and a boot releasing position, the other arm of each of said levers including toothed means continuously engaging said groove means for effecting a simultaneous movement of both of said levers about said pivot axes therefor to said boot releasing position whenever a sufficient force is applied to one of said levers and a corresponding reciprocal movement of said traction member; and resilient means for biasing said levers into said boot engaging position.
 2. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said traction member has a plurality of grooves thereon; and wherein said toothed means comprises a toothed segment which is concentrical about said pivot axes, said toothed segment rolling during a pivotal movement of said levers along in said grooves.
 3. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said one arm on each of said levers abut laterally on the boot sole; and wherein a further sole holder is provided, said further sole holder being pivotable about an axis arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of said ski and being adapted to grip over the top of the boot sole, said further sole holder having toothed means thereon engaging said groove means and effecting a simultaneous movement of said levers and said traction member in response to a sufficient force being applied to said further sole holder.
 4. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal traction member extends through a bore in said base member extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ski and has a thread at an end remote from said groove means, a nut threadedly engaged with said thread; and wherein said resilient means comprises a spring sleevably mounted over said reciprocal traction member and supported at one end on said base member and at the other end on said nut.
 5. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axes for said levers are inclined toward one another upwardly away from said ski and toward a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ski and passing through the center thereof.
 6. A ski binding part according to claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises a base plate and pivot means for pivotally supporting said base member, each of said levers being supported for movement with said base member about the pivot axis of said pivot means and releasable locking means for releasably locking said base member to said base plate to hold said base member in a central position wherein said levers are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of said ski.
 7. A ski binding part according to claim 6, wherein said locking means is defined by a downwardly extending projection engaging a recess in said base plate, said projection being secured to said traction member and movable therewith whereby a reciprocal movement of said traction member will effect a movement of said projection from said recess.
 8. A ski binding part according to claim 8, wherein said groove means comprises a plurality of annular grooves around the periphery of said traction member. 